Montezuma Castle

Overview

Montezuma's Castle was one of the first four National Monuments dedicated in 1906 by President Theodore Roosevelt. The site of Montezuma's castle is visible from the trail. Your whole way is paved, so you won't have to worry about obstacles distracting your view of the spectacular ruins. The "castle", nearly 800 years old, remains remarkably well preserved. The longevity of the ruins speaks to the ingenuity of the Sinagua people, who managed to prosper in a harsh desert climate.

The ruins are not open to the general public to preserve the cultural and scientific integrity of the pueblo site. Please do your part to protect them for all to visit and enjoy. Please do not touch, sit, stand, or lean on any walls. Since archeologists need to see everything in context to understand a site, do not disturb artifacts. Removing them is illegal.

Short Walk: 0.1 miles

Family
Friendly: Short walk on paved path with excellent historical interpretation and junior ranger program.